Exploring visual journalism

Use framing, get up early, try black and white and above all, be ready to be lucky. Baltimore Sun photographers provide tips for taking more interesting photos during your upcoming family vacations, with these past winners of the Reader SunShots competition.

Fifty years old and still Baltimore County’s biggest annual party, a sure harbinger of spring and the rare chance to enjoy Courthouse Square and its surroundings without having to dodge all the cars and other traffic. With food, music, vendors, carnival rides and hopefully lots of sunshine. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. next Sunday in the area surrounding Courthouse Square, at Washington and Pennsylvania avenues. Free. towsontownfestival.com.
–Chris Kaltenbach, The Baltimore Sun

The legend says that around the 7th century there was massive drought in the Kathmandu valley. It was believed that the arrival of the red deity would end the drought and bring back the rainfall. Hence then King Narendra Dev along with a priest and farmer travelled to what is now the Assam state in India and brought back Karunamaya, the god of compassion. It is popularly now known as Rato Machindranath.

At the weeklong Cheung Chau Bun Festival on an outlying island of Hong Kong, a competition to grab faux steamed buns from a 60-foot tower isn’t even the grandest spectacle. The stars of the traditional Chinese celebration are the children of the Floating Colors parade. Dressed as deities or cultural figures, the youngsters are hoisted over the crowd, the rigging supporting them hidden by their elaborate costumes, giving the appearance they are gliding.

Demonstrators around the world participated in May Day marches, rallies and protests on May 1. May Day, also known as International Worker’s Day, originated in Chicago when labor leaders staged a series of rallies and marches in May of 1886 to demand an eight-hour work day.

A-listers donned their brightest, boldest, weirdest looks for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute annual benefit gala, the fashion equivalent of the most glamorous Halloween party of the year. This year’s gala celebrates the opening of an exhibit honoring visionary designer Rei Kawakubo with Comme des Garcons.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival features music, food, and crafts over two weekends. This year it takes place April 28, 29, 30 and May 4, 5, 6, and 7, 2017. The music highlighted at the event showcases every style associated with New Orleans and Louisiana including gospel, zydeco, rock, rap, bluegrass and of course jazz. The festival takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course.